• Champions League

Referee a national disgrace - Djourou

ESPN staff
March 10, 2011
Johan Djourou believes Robin van Persie's red card ruined Arsenal's chances of victory against Barcelona © PA Photos
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Johan Djourou says he is ashamed to call himself Swiss after compatriot Massimo Busacca's part in Arsenal's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

Arsenal were reduced to ten men when referee Busacca sent Robin van Persie off after awarding the striker a second yellow card for time wasting.

Van Persie lashed a shot at goal after the whistle had been blown for offside, but protested his innocence, claiming he had not heard the whistle in the Nou Camp. It was 1-1 on aggregate when van Persie saw red, and although Djourou concedes that Barcelona were worthy winners, he says the decision changed the course of the game.

"I am Swiss and the referee was Swiss. I feel a sense of shame," Djourou said.

"He had no right to take a decision of that kind. It changed the course of the game. At this level of football you cannot accept decisions like that. But you have to admit that Barcelona deserved their win."

Arsene Wenger and Samir Nasri face UEFA charges for "inappropriate language" directed at Busacca after the final whistle, but former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano believes the Arsenal players are taking away from an impressive Barcelona victory.

"Barca always win thanks to the ref, never for our style of play," Mascherano said. "We can't be so blind and fixated by refs.

"We can't be such hypocrites because it's for stupid people to think that refs help Barcelona win."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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